The Introvert and the Football Player

Epilogue

One Year Later
Nova's POV:

"And now your valedictorian, Nova Sparks!" The principal announces. As I walk up to the podium, my knees are shaking, and my hands are already kind of sweaty. I look up into the crowd to find my family and Bo giving me encouraging smiles, and then I begin.

"Hello class of 2017, families of the class of 2017, and Taylor High administration. I can describe what an honor it is to be your valedictorian. If you would've asked me freshman year if I wanted this, I probably would've laughed in your face. I was like every typical high school student, I thought I was in love, and my school grades sucked for that. Sophomore year, I wasn't any better. It wasn't until I met Bo Smith and Ashton Thames that I began to care about school again. They, alongside of my friend Valerie, helped me get through my junior year and this year as well. I'm a scattered mess of a student, and we all are in our own ways. We've been together for four years you guys and now it's time we part ways. Good luck everyone. We survived high school, now let's survive the real world!"

The room erupts into applause, and I honestly want to go hurl into the nearest trash can. "Very eloquently put Nova." The principal jokes. At the same time Bo and Ashton holler out from the crowd "We love you Nova!" I laugh as I sit down and wait for them to call my name.

"Rebecca Emily Rosh." The principal booms. Well I'm next. I look up at my family at the same time my name is called. "Nova Bethany Sparks." I all but jump out of my seat to go get my diploma. High school sucked for me and today it was all ending. I couldn't be more happier as I held my diploma. I grin up at my family and Bo and walk back to my seat.

******
"Nova baby I'm so proud of you!" My mom gushes as she hugs me tightly. Bo is standing towards the back with Radly and Tommy who are busy playing with his zipper on his coat. "You've come so far since freshman year princess." My dad says smiling. Wesley still hasn't said anything, and I look over at him waiting. He motions for me to walk away from the group, and I tell everyone I'll be right back.

I hold onto his sleeve as we walk through the thick crowds; everyone is congratulating me on being valedictorian as we walk. We're outside now, and Wesley turns to me sharply. "Sorry Nova, habit from Base." He explains. "You mentioned Jerome Barnes in your speech?" He asks. I laugh at him, and he rubs his neck as if he's embarrassed. "He played a big part in my high school career." I tell him. He nods, and we soon walk back inside. My family is talking to Bo now; he doesn't look uncomfortable like he used to.

After he called me and left his voicemail last summer, we started talking again. In December he asked me to be his girlfriend, and I thought it was the craziest idea for us to date when he was halfway across the country, but he talked me into it. Valerie and Ashton were still going strong, and when I told her about Bo and I, I thought she was going to scream her head off. Bo escorted me to prom, and it was way better than junior prom; especially after prom.

I walk up to Bo and I crush him in a hug. He picks me up and spins me around. I can feel my gown raising up behind me, exposing my dress, and I laugh at him. I grab his neck and press my lips to his. "Congratulations baby girl." He says when we pull apart. My brother and dad clear their throats which makes me laugh even more. "I've been waiting to kiss you on graduation since your graduation." I whisper in Bo's ear. He laughs loudly at me, and my family just looks at us like we're the cutest things in the room.

I look over at Ashton and Valerie, who are too busy kissing each other to notice, and smile. The best people of my high school experience were all here. I held onto Bo tightly as if he was going to vanish into thin air. My people were here, and I was happier than ever. Valerie and Ashton smile at us, and they leave with her parents. "Are you ready to go?" Bo asks me. I nod at him and kiss his cheek. High school is over, and I still have my football player.